(S) POSSIBLE NORTH KOREAN SHIPMENT OF

S E C R E T LUANDA 000050 E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/23/2019 TAGS: PARM PREL MNUC SUBJECT: (S) POSSIBLE NORTH KOREAN SHIPMENT OF PROLIFERATION CONCERN REF: SECSTATE 4103 Classified By: P/E Chief Mitchell L. Ferugson for Reasons 1.5 (b) and ( d). ¶1. (S) Reftel demarche was delivered on January 23 to the Ministry of Foreign Relations Acting Director for American Affairs, Jeronimo Gaspar de Almeida. P/E Chief explained that while it was unclear whether the BI RO Bong's cargo was conventional arms or WMD-related, transfers of WMD-related or military items would raise serious questions of noncompliance with UNSCR 1718. ¶2. (S) Referring to Angola as a partner in the Proliferation Security Initiative, Gaspar said he understood the importance of actively pursuing counter terrorism leads and undertook to inquire with other GRA ministries and within MIREX about the movements of the BI RO BONG. He said he would provide a read-out to the Embassy of any information received NLT Tuesday, January 27. Post will continue to follow this issue closely. MOZENA NNNN End Cable Text